LICENSURE CERTIFICATION PROFICIENCY PROGRAM STANDARDS (LCPP)

PREAMBLE

We hold to be true that persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are completely committed to no less than the absolute liberation of the Black mind shall be recognized as proficient or competent in African Centered/Black Psychology. We also hold to be true that the commitment process simultaneously recognizes:

that the shackles of slavery and centuries of racial oppression still restrict the mental freedom of people of African descent.

the continued retentions and residuals of an African cultural heritage informs and directs the creative mental powers of people of African descent.

Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are also committed to research, theory and practice towards the unmasking of the nefarious influences if racism and the internalized destructiveness of the racist.

Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology cultivate the integrity, the dignity, the collective awareness and the unified movement of Black people towards their social, political, economic, psychological and spiritual liberation. The parameter of values of persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are defined by this objective. With the freedom for inquiry and formulation, the person certified in African Centered/Black Psychology accepts the responsibility for the welfare of all Black people and respect for all human beings who are in the conduct of respectable human affairs, and not in conflict with the survival and progress of African people.

THE LCPP STANDARDS

The standard for cultural competence of responsibility recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology, while committed to the understanding of the human mind in general in the service of all humanity, hold a value and commitment to addressing the unique problems and propensities of the African mind (throughout the diaspora). Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are first and foremost responsible for the understanding of the African mind and for the application of the knowledge to the alleviation of problems which have been fostered by the historical oppression of Black people.

Standard I-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology believe that their skills should most appropriately be dedicated to the improvement of the lives of Black people. Though there are obviously related activities which may be of high priority to non-Black people, the choice of priority involvements by Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology must first be toward those which will expedite the improvement of the life situation of Black people.

Standard I-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology engage in research which will improve the quality of life of Black people. This research should be reflective of the psychological strengths of Black people and/or should be focused on the cultivation of strengths which will foster such improvement. Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology object to and refuse to support theoretical or empirical positions which accept the innate or irremediable deficiency of Black people.

Standard I-3: For Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology to engage in any research, theory, or practice which in any way endangers the development of Black people, shall be recognized as highly unethical. Any Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology so involved, directly or indirectly, shall be publicly exposed as being in violation of, and irresponsible to, the well being of Black people, and shall be formally disassociated from this body. The judgment of such misconduct shall be determined by the Standing Committee on LCPP Standards.

Standard I-4: As teachers, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology recognize their responsibility to foster self-knowledge. If that teaching involves non-Black people, then the Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology' responsibility is to offer knowledge of the non-Black self as it impacts on the life and circumstance of Black people.

Standard I-5: As providers of services to suffering people, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology recognize that their initial responsibility is to the suffering of Black people. In whatever setting Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology find themselves awkward, they always extend their efforts to offering the best and highest quality of service to Black people. When a choice is available, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology see their responsibility as primarily a resource to improve the life situation of Black people.

The standard for cultural competence of restraint recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology understand that the "rights" of any single individual are always balanced against the responsibility to, and requirements of, the group. Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are governed by principled conduct and restraints which are designed to judge actions in relation to the welfare of the group and the larger good.

Standard II-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology avoid the use of their professional identity as a vehicle to exploit or take personal advantage of the Black community.

Standard II-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology avoid making public statements which may be construed as reflective of the collective sentiment of the Black community unless they are duly appointed by a representative group of the community as their spokesperson.

Standard II-3: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are cautious in communicating their research findings as representing observations in a limited sphere, thus avoiding making global pronouncements about the state of the race.

Standard II-4: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology represent themselves as servants to the community and lead only as they have been appointed.

The standard for cultural competence of respect recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology shall at all times give deference to the will and intent of Black people. As reflected in behavior, attitudes, etc., Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology submit to excellence, and righteousness in themselves and in each other.

Standard III-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology shall avoid misrepresenting their professional qualifications, affiliations, commitments and/or contributions to the field. Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology do not claim, directly or indirectly, to possess professional qualifications or skills which they do not have. Neither do they permit people to assume and/or represent them as having qualifications or skills which they do not have.

Standard III-2: Because of the explicit commitments of Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology to address the specific and unique concerns of Black people, anyone who does not share in this commitment should not affiliate themselves or represent themselves with this organization.

Standard III-3: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology do not identify themselves either explicitly or by implication as affiliated with The Association of Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology, for the purpose of obtaining benefits, without being an official member of the organization.

The standard for cultural competence of reciprocity recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology understand the mutual dependence between the welfare of Black people and their personal well-being. In no instance shall Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology place their personal gain in opposition to the advancement of the Black community.

Standard IV-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are first of all concerned about providing the best and highest quality services. Financial consideration should never restrict their ability to serve the Black community.

Standard IV-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology' fees for services to the Black community should be commensurate with the community's ability to pay.

Standard IV-3: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology recognize the economic oppression and destitution of the Black community. Thus, they responsibly return a portion of their earnings to the Black community.

Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology will often be enticed by power, prestige and position to compromise their agreement to serve the vested self-interest of the Black community. In light of this, the standard for cultural competence of commitment recognizes the need for Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology to acknowledge their devotion to protect and affirm the integrity and welfare of the Black community.

Standard V-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology accept and advocate in all of their professional affairs a oneness of being between themselves and the collective reality of the community of Black people. Their conduct recognizes that they cannot discredit the Black community without discrediting themselves nor discredit themselves without discrediting the Black community.

Standard V-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology recognize that they are committed to protecting the minds of Black people from the overt and subliminal influences which rob the Black community of dignity, integrity and ultimate mental liberation.

Standard V-3: When there is a conflict among races or social groups, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are primarily committed to and concerned with the welfare of the Black collective and only secondarily with the interest of their professional group.

Standard V-4: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are committed to protect the confidentiality and secrecy of information obtained through professional inquiry or personal trust. Release of such information may occur only after permission is explicitly given and/or consultation is held with respected colleagues and legal representatives of the Black community.

The standard for cultural competence of cooperativeness recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology will at all times respect the integrity, expertise and contributions of colleagues in Black Psychology, within the field of general psychology and other fields. As long as these professionals and/or their work/contributions are not in violation of the vested self-interest of Black people, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology can and will find collaborative relationships acceptable.

Standard VI-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology respect the ethnic, racial and cultural integrity of other groups insofar as the integrity of those groups is not predicated on the oppression, exploitation or destruction of the Black race or other groups of human beings.

Standard VI-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology condemn any research or intervention, collaborative or otherwise, conducted in Black communities without an explicit service intent, or other direct benefit, to the Black community.

Standard VI-3: With the exception of a student, tutorial or trainee position, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology entering into interracial research or service to Black people shall do so only when the direction and governance of the research and service (particularly its purpose, direction, interpretation and use) are under the control of Black people.

Standard VI-4: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology view with caution the efforts to research, theorize or otherwise define the needs, goals or direction of Black communities by non-Black investigators without extensive and intensive consultation with relevant Black professionals. Research done under such conditions should be identified as such and should be carefully scrutinized before providing any forum for such ideas.

Standard VI-5: In order to secure the collective development of Black theory program/service development, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology actively seek out consultation and colleague collaboration with other Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology and like-minded persons.

The standard of cultural competence of courage recognizes that Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology be of sufficient spirit and purpose to openly address and honestly confront any issue, persons, or events which are in opposition to the well-being and vested self-interest of Black people.

Standard VII-1: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology condemn by exposure any political operations geared towards the destruction of Black community life, family life and effective psychological functioning.

Standard VII-3: To the best of their ability, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology offer honest reflection and/or clarification of the conditions (whether positive/strength or negative/weakness) of Black people.

The standard of cultural competence for accountability recognizes that persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology accept the standards of cultural competence for Certification in African Centered/Black Psychology as well as certain social conventions which foster effective living for people in general, will hold their own conduct and that of their colleagues accountable to the criteria of racial redemption and cultural reclamation.

Standard VIII-1: In recognition that self-destructive activities are currently in the vanguard of contemporary moral principles and ethical conduct, Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology strongly adhere to the idea that any activity directed toward the destruction or injury of Black people shall be viewed and judged as highly reprehensible and indefensible.

Standard VIII-2: Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology hold themselves accountable to their Black colleagues and to the power of the Black community for the highest standards of performance.

Standard VIII-3: We recognize that there are traditional advisors/healers in Black communities, i.e., spiritual advisors, Elders and religious counselors. Hence, we recognize the legitimacy of many such resources, to the degree that they are accountable of their services to a body of Black practitioners and lay members of the Black community. Professional competence is best adjudged by moral responsibility and social accountability. We submit this code as a criterion by which such competence may be evaluated.

Standard VIII-4: Persons certified in African Centered/ Black Psychology shall discourage the practice of psychology by individuals who do not understand and are not committed to the principles contained in these standards of cultural competence.

SUMMARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology who ascribe to the above principles shall be recognized as culturally competent and legitimate scientists and practitioners. Sanction against those who seek to study and practice in Black communities or represent themselves as legitimate persons who are certified in African Centered/Black Psychology without ascribing to these principles shall be publicly exposed as in violation of and irresponsible to the well-being of Black people.

The ABPsi Ethical Standards are adopted with modification for the LCPP on June 14, 2006 and are referred to as "The LCPP Standards.

LICENSURE CERTIFICATION PROFICIENCY PROGRAM STANDARDS (LCPP)

PREAMBLE
We hold to be true that persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology are completely committed to no less than the absolute liberation of the Black mind shall be recognized as proficient or competent in African Centered/Black Psychology. ...

CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION FOR GRANDFATHERED CANDIDATES

OPEN CANDIDACY

Currently certification is open for grandfathering only.

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF CONSUBSTANTIATION

The essential guiding principle for the ethical conduct of persons certified in African Centered/Black Psychology is informed by the ontological principle of "consubstantiation," i.e., "we are one people, we are of the same essence." This principle requires an adherence to the structural recognition that "I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am," as well as to the functional acceptance of the African principle of identity which recognizes that "who you are is who you are connected to" (and value base of collective responsibility). The fundamental principles derived of consubstantiation result in the set of guiding principles derived by Collective Responsibility.